CONCORD is seeking a highly-motivated Advocacy Adviser to steer our work on influencing the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) so that Europe quite literally puts their money where their mouth is and commits to international cooperation through funds and programmes that enable sustainable and equitable development throughout the world.

ABOUT CONCORD

CONCORD is the European Confederation of NGOs working on sustainable development and international cooperation. We are made up of member organisations: 26 national platforms, 25 international networks and 7 associate members that represent over 2,600 NGOs, supported by millions of people across Europe.

We work together to ensure that European policies promote equal, just and inclusive societies in a sustainable world.

You will join a team of highly motivated professionals who are committed to accelerating transformation towards a more equal and sustainable society. It is important for CONCORD that any new member of the team adheres to our values of solidarity, non-discrimination, collaboration, integrity and respect and for whom this motivation is a reason for choosing CONCORD. You will join an organisation that is well-established and a highly respected interlocutor of EU institutions on international cooperation with a successful track-record in influencing the EU Multiannual Financial Framework.

CONCORD is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are made entirely on merit.

ROLE SPECIFICATION 

By mid next year European leaders will start thrashing out the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). This will determine how Europe’s annual budget of approximately 175 billion euros will be spent over the next 7-year period 2028-2034 including how much will be spent on international cooperation – and how it will be spent.  Building on CONCORD’s advocacy successes during the previous MFF process,  we are already gearing up for this next set of negotiations which will be decisive in making or breaking Europe’s capacity to be a fair actor in its international partnerships and treat partners as equals. With Europe’s 2024 election results ushering in a more populist Parliament and right-wing Commission, combined with the many global challenges Europe is facing today (from climate change to geopolitical power shifts and wars on its borders and beyond), Europe’s financial and political commitment to international cooperation is at risk of giving way to other competing priorities, making these MFF negotiations more critical than ever.   

CONCORD’s MFF Advocacy Adviser will oversee these negotiations and will play a pivotal role in coordinating our intel, members, expertise, analysis and advocacy at both EU level and in the Member States, convincing the brokers of the next MFF to commit a sufficient portion of their future budget to International Cooperation. You will do this by working with our members to develop common positions at key moments, by reaching out to other actors across Europe and beyond to reinforce our advocacy actions and recommendations, and by raising awareness among European Parliamentarians on the critical importance of financing  portfolios and programs internationally that enable equitable and inclusive societies to survive – and even better thrive.  You will begin preparing the groundwork for these actions already in the autumn 2024 so that we are ready to react to the EC’s initial MFF proposal as soon as it is out  (in 2025)  and start influencing the EU and all 27 of its Member States thereafter. 

As this is a highly political process where our issues are often not the highest on the agenda, you will have to be an exceptionally dynamic, strategic and resilient professional keen to lead a long and intricate negotiation process. It is essential you have at least four years of advocacy experience, you have political insights and are a person who keeps finding ways forward even in the face of high-adversity. 

Key areas of responsibility

• Coordinate and steer CONCORD’s MFF process, including planning and reporting
• Facilitate regular meetings with our MFF working group to ensure intelligence circulates fluidly and that the necessary analysis and detailed budget-monitoring work is carried out
• Develop CONCORD positions with the MFF working group on MFF and implementing regulations (e.g. NDICI) as negotiations progress
• Ensure coordinated advocacy on our core recommendations throughout the MFF process
• Hold regular meetings and negotiations with allies for coordinated advocacy
• Convene meetings and organize events with MEPs and other officials as relevant
• Ensure members take advocacy action in Member States at all relevant levels of government and within the Perm Reps
• Engage experts to build capacity on specific issues (e.g. EFSD+; own resources….)
• Organise webinars to prepare calls for action among the wider membership, especially National Platforms
• Liaise with our Financing for Sustainable Development (FFSD) work stream so that 1) our MFF process is properly coordinated with the work they do on EU financing and funding for external action (e.g. Team Europe Initiatives, Global Gateway, MIPs & AAPs etc) and 2) all CONCORD members who are committed to influencing the MFF – but who may not have the capacity to be part of the core working group – can do so
• Provide input, support, analysis and advice to CONCORD members on the EU’s MFF process and other relevant processes and trends to guide their engagement on the MFF
• Draw on CONCORD’s past MFF process to build on our advocacy successes and enhance our reach and impact;
• Coordinate with and support communications colleagues in contributing to the visibility and impact of our MFF recommendations

PERSON SPECIFICATION

You will understand and be committed to CONCORD’s vision, purpose, goals and values. You will be able to contribute to CONCORD’s ambition to pursue a systemic and gender-transformative agenda at EU level.

Knowledge:

• Academic background or professional experience in the international cooperation and/or human rights sector
• Sound understanding of how MFF negotiations are run at EU level and in Member States 
• Solid grasp of  how the EU is rethinking International Cooperation and how this is likely to affect the next MFF and the budget allocated to sustainable development financing 
• Good understanding of EU budgets and programmes and how to influence these  processes

Experience:

• At least 4 years of professional experience (excluding student internships and traineeships) specifically in EU-related advocacy work
• Proven track record of advocacy successes, preferably in EU external affairs
• Experience negotiating with the European Commission and with EU Member States 
• Experience in working in an NGO, whether in Europe or elsewhere; campaigning experience would be an asset
• Experience of providing succinct policy analysis in short time-frames and turning it into powerful advocacy tools 
• Experience of organising meetings, events and coordinating different entities

Skills:

• Politically astute, with well-honed analytical skills and an ability to translate that analysis into strategic advocacy positions 
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, including tactful and effective facilitation skills to build consensus
• Strong planning, organisational skills, and ability to juggle and respond to multiple priorities 
• Capable networker, able to coordinate and operate effectively in coalitions, can dig for information, including intel from sensitive sources, preferably with a pre-existing network in EU circles
• Ability to convey complex information compellingly
• Fluent written and spoken English is crucial; a working knowledge of French is desirable  

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Duration of contract: 80% fixed-term position (“CDD”) 15 October 2024 – 30 June 2026 with a possible extension of 18 months subject to funding.

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Gross salary: Gross salary of €3050 per month at 80% if you have a minimum of 4 years relevant professional experience.  (This is based on the gross full time salary of €3813) 

Other benefits: holiday allowance; ‘thirteenth month’; hospitalisation insurance; affiliation to pension scheme; meal vouchers, a teleworking allowance and a monthly commuting allowance on local public transport or by bicycle for the period. 

The position reports to our Head of Advocacy 

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested, please upload your CV (max. 2 pages, no photo) and a 1-page cover letter explaining your motivation and fit for the role in the portal below. The CV and cover letter must be submitted as one document stating the name of the role and your name in the title. Any letters not written clearly with this job in mind will not be considered. Only letters and CVs written in English will be accepted. 

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 1 September 2024 at midnight (CEST). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The first round of interviews will probably take place the week of 9 September 2024. The ideal start date is 15 October 2024.